The Osceola times., 1887-05-28

The Great Practical PhIlanthroplst ts
Whose Rescue Stanley has Gone-Th,
Natives Instructed in Agriculture ant
Manufactures.
In September, 1876, Chinese Gordon
was in Central Africa, exploring tn,
Nile between the Great Victoria ant
Albert Lakes, which formed the south
ern boundary of the Equatorial Provin
ces, of which he was then Governor
His only white companion was young
German, named Schnitzler, who had
just returned from very dangerou,
but successful mission to Mtesa, the
powerful King of the Uganda.
The young man Schnitzler Is now
commonly known by his Arabic name.
Emin. 1t was to rescue him that Stan
ley, the most successful of African ex.
plorers, was summoned away from
America. 1t is not difficult to imagine
what Gordon and Emin talked about
during the toilsome marches, or ut the
close of the day before the campfire.
The German described the strange
scenes which he had witnessed in
Uganda, and repeated the strange re-
ligious conversations which he had had
with the King; conversations which
Gordon afterwards wrote down in his
diary.
Emin was exultant over the oppor-
tunties which his mission had given
hin, tA ha ,;, Ia. a
brought him to Africa-to study the
natural history of the country, and the
languages and customs of its inhabi-
tants. But as Gordon talked of the
motive which led him to Africa the
hope of freeing the wretched people
from the curse of the slave trade. and
of giving them peace and a just govern
ment-his generous enthusiasm and
lofty ambition began to fire his COM
panion.
II When they parted. after a month 5
close intercourse, on the shore of Lake
Albert, the whole current of Emin $
life was changed. He did not give up
his love for his scientific pursuits. He
simply subordinated them to the higher
j aim of seeking the welfare of the peo-
pie with whom his lot was cast
The remarkable ability which he had
n shown in his dealings with Mtsea led
Gordon to send him the following year
10 make treaty with the King of the
4 &Unyoro. He went during the rainy
$scason, when the country was over
allowed, and often had to march for
Il hours up to his neck in mud and water.
ION his return from this mission. in the
#summer of 1878. wcaried with his great
exertons and privations, and anxious
to publish an account of his numerous
adventures and scientific collections,
|<he resolved to resign his post and re-
turn to Europe.
III But on his way down the Nile he was
amct by one of Gordon's lieutenants,
bringing Emin's appointment as Gov
Prnor of the Equatorial Provinces. 1t
Fas wholly unexpected and undesired,
Rnd all his inclinations were against
accepting it. But Gordon looked to
him to continue the work which he
lmself had begun, and if he were to
6ordon could turn.
~ His steamers prov was turned up
trcam, and visions of rest ana of liter
2ry and scientific fame gave way to
chcmes for developing the resources of
is province, and for elevating the
4 3)eople.
81 His province was belt of land on
Il ther bank of the Nile, about five hun
n ped miles long by three hundred wide,
which only that part along the river
y fas under control. The greater por-
Z ION was really subject TO the Arab
|a.'e hunters. who lived in fortified
fatlons scattered about the country,
+ om whence, with large bands of
fmed followers, they sailed forth to
estroy the native villages, to drive off
e cattle and to drag the inhabitants
to hopeless bondage.
Consequently, the land was in such
state that travellers life was not Sc
re outside the station gates unless he
HsaccomPanied ~ by strong escort; and
pnce populous region was fast becom-
= an uninhabited wilderness.
Emin's first official act on reaching
frontier station of his province wa
issue decree forbidding the export
slaves. He then proceeded to build
ltons, in which he put small garri
hs, connecting them wth roads on
Aich he established weekly post. At
N OF these stations gardens were
oh in which vegetables were
wn, and plantations made of cotton.
igo, rice and wheat.
dc set out trees both for shade and |
timber, and introduced the eucaly- |
valuable ~ . preventive Of
aria. In addition to insttuctiqn In !
luullurN ~ pVepls WV lAssbtl
: & b <. ii u !. st 81 K. IN =
= p. =. ur